Prospective Students and/or Parents
Please contact the studio for more information about openings for beginning and transfer students. Lessons are currently being held in-person in the studio--mask optional.
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Interested in learning to play the piano?
How exciting! Whether learning to play for the sheer pleasure of creating music, or with the goal of becoming a professional musician, the Hollenback Piano Studio can help you achieve your dreams.
Read on for some things to consider as you look for a studio and piano teacher.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is my child ready for lessons?
Children show interest in music at a very early age. If your child can sit for 20 to 30 minutes and be engaged in activity, then they may be ready for lessons. There are programs developed especially for students in the preschool years (3-5 years old). This age loves to explore all the possibilities of sound that can be produced on the piano. Kindergarten students who have begun to develop reading skills and whose fine motor skills are developing will also do well at the piano. This is an ideal age to begin lessons. Older beginners (late elementary/middle school) will pick up concepts quickly. Developing the muscle control takes practice and may come more slowly than the student wishes. But, as with any new skill, consistent practice leads to steady progress. High school beginners usually begin lessons with a great deal of self-motivation leading to rapid progress when combined with consistent practice.
How much will I have to practice?
How quickly do you want to progress? Daily, focused practice is much better than "cramming" the day before the lesson. Recommended daily practice session lengths will depend on the student's age. First year beginners will usually practice 10 to 20 minutes a day, with the amount of daily practice increasing as the length and difficulty of pieces increases. Two or three shorter sessions spaced throughout the day are more effective than one longer (and more tiring) practice session.
Do I need a piano?
An acoustic piano provides nuances in sound and touch that just cannot be duplicated on a keyboard or digital piano. Whether you begin on a digital instrument or an acoustic piano you will want to work with the finest instrument you can obtain. Keyboards/digital pianos need to have 88 full sized touch sensitive/weighted keys and a damper pedal. Even beginners will be working with the complete keyboard range and experiment with the pedal for sound and color. A proper music stand on the instrument and appropriate bench or stool is important to sit comfortably and read the music without stress or strain in the body. Proper technique begins with the first lesson and is important to a student's future progress. Acoustic pianos will need a regular tuning schedule typically twice a year minimum. If it has been a while since your piano has been tuned or played, it may need more frequent tunings initially. Be sure to check with your student's teacher if you are thinking of upgrading or obtaining a new instrument. She/he will have resources to help you in your search for your perfect instrument.
What are important teacher qualifications?
There is no formal license required to teach piano in the United States. Anyone can advertise their services as a piano teacher. Affiliation and certification by a bona-fide teaching organization like the Music Teachers National Association is an indication that the teacher is committed to excellence in teaching. Formal qualifications like college degrees, teaching licenses, playing ability, and prior experience should be considered along with the informal qualifications of personality, patience, ability to communicate, and teaching style.
What will be expected of the piano student and, if applicable, the piano student's parent?
Learning to play the piano is a team effort between the teacher, student and parent. The student will need to practice on a regular, consistent basis, with parental support at home depending on the student's age and level. All materials should be brought to the lesson with assignments completed to the best of the student's ability. Questions that occur during the week can sometimes be answered through a quick email to the teacher. Use your lesson assignment notebook to remember the focus of practice on each assignment for the week.
For the younger beginner, parents will need to guide the practice at home. Setting aside a consistent practice time on a daily basis and assisting, not teaching, will allow consistent progress to be made. Help the student by reading the lessons notes and assignments. Ask questions: "Can you show me how you should do that motion?"; "Can you play this piece all the way to the end?"; "What did your teacher ask you to write on this page?" Elementary level students may enjoy a parent's presence just sitting with them while they practice. Be sure to ask about their lesson, their practice, their favorite piece that particular week. All of this continues to show you are interested in their music. Eventually as students reach high school, reminders to practice by the parent will be infrequent as the older student assumes responsibility for their own practice.
The student and/or parent should arrive at and leave lessons promptly. Keep the lines of communication open; check with your teacher if you have questions or concerns. As a courtesy be sure to contact your teacher if you will miss a lesson and be sure you understand your teacher's policy concerning missed lessons. Be financially responsible and pay tuition on time. Your teacher would rather be sharing music with the student, not writing reminder notices about tuition past due.
Your teacher will use his/her skills, talent and experience to provide you with a positive learning experience! Your teacher will maintain punctuality and professionalism, provide students with a quality musical instrument in the studio, and offer opportunities for musical growth through workshops, festivals, competitions and performances as appropriate to the student's age and needs.
With student, parent and teacher all working together, musical growth will be steady and rewarding.
Do I have to perform in public?
Sharing music is a wonderful benefit to learning to play the piano. While "playing in public" may be intimidating to you at first glance, your teacher will provide many different ways for you to share your music. Be open to the possibilities and expect your teacher to provide performance tips from preparing for a formal recital to playing a duet with another pianist "just for fun." Ask your teacher what the opportunities are for performance and what you may be asked to consider at your level of study. Your teacher is your best supporter and will work with you to create a positive learning experience.
Live music is a special event. It will never occur in this particular way again. Perfection is not the goal, but conveying the musical voice of the the composer blended with the voice of the artist-performer is the goal. As a pianist we work hard to be accurate to the score, but sometimes (most times?) inaccuracies in playing occur during performance. As our skill as a pianist/musician develops we learn how to handle those happenings. Every pianist who is growing, learning and performing will be able to tell one of those "horror" stories--but remember, they are still alive to tell it! I know of no one yet who has died as a result of a less than "perfect" performance.
What is the curriculum?
Your teacher should be knowledgeable about the resources available for beginning, intermediate and advancing pianists. Some studios will specialize only in beginners, or more advanced students. Will you be able to continue to study with this teacher as you grow in your level of playing? As students advance, the studio may focus on the standard classical repertoire, while other studios may be more eclectic or focus strictly on jazz or another specialty.
Does the teacher address technique, how to play and sit at the piano with ease, work on movements around the keyboard? Or is learning to find the correct note on the keyboard the only focus? Long term growth in playing the piano will need a strong technical foundation right from the first lesson. Will scales and etudes be a part of your studies in the studio?
Understanding the context of the music being studied is also an important part of playing the piano. Music was not written in isolation, but is reflective of the daily culture and life of the composer. Music history and music theory are important topics in being able to play and convey the musical intent of the composer.
Great playing needs great listening skills. Will your studies help develop your sense of sound, enable you to recognize the correct interval by training your ears as well as your fingers? Ear-training drills and studies on a regular basis should also be part of your lessons.
If this is your first exposure to the world of music, ask questions about the curriculum...this is the start of your learning.
More Questions?
Contact Karen for more information on these or any other questions you may have.
Read on for some things to consider as you look for a studio and piano teacher.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is my child ready for lessons?
Children show interest in music at a very early age. If your child can sit for 20 to 30 minutes and be engaged in activity, then they may be ready for lessons. There are programs developed especially for students in the preschool years (3-5 years old). This age loves to explore all the possibilities of sound that can be produced on the piano. Kindergarten students who have begun to develop reading skills and whose fine motor skills are developing will also do well at the piano. This is an ideal age to begin lessons. Older beginners (late elementary/middle school) will pick up concepts quickly. Developing the muscle control takes practice and may come more slowly than the student wishes. But, as with any new skill, consistent practice leads to steady progress. High school beginners usually begin lessons with a great deal of self-motivation leading to rapid progress when combined with consistent practice.
How much will I have to practice?
How quickly do you want to progress? Daily, focused practice is much better than "cramming" the day before the lesson. Recommended daily practice session lengths will depend on the student's age. First year beginners will usually practice 10 to 20 minutes a day, with the amount of daily practice increasing as the length and difficulty of pieces increases. Two or three shorter sessions spaced throughout the day are more effective than one longer (and more tiring) practice session.
Do I need a piano?
An acoustic piano provides nuances in sound and touch that just cannot be duplicated on a keyboard or digital piano. Whether you begin on a digital instrument or an acoustic piano you will want to work with the finest instrument you can obtain. Keyboards/digital pianos need to have 88 full sized touch sensitive/weighted keys and a damper pedal. Even beginners will be working with the complete keyboard range and experiment with the pedal for sound and color. A proper music stand on the instrument and appropriate bench or stool is important to sit comfortably and read the music without stress or strain in the body. Proper technique begins with the first lesson and is important to a student's future progress. Acoustic pianos will need a regular tuning schedule typically twice a year minimum. If it has been a while since your piano has been tuned or played, it may need more frequent tunings initially. Be sure to check with your student's teacher if you are thinking of upgrading or obtaining a new instrument. She/he will have resources to help you in your search for your perfect instrument.
What are important teacher qualifications?
There is no formal license required to teach piano in the United States. Anyone can advertise their services as a piano teacher. Affiliation and certification by a bona-fide teaching organization like the Music Teachers National Association is an indication that the teacher is committed to excellence in teaching. Formal qualifications like college degrees, teaching licenses, playing ability, and prior experience should be considered along with the informal qualifications of personality, patience, ability to communicate, and teaching style.
What will be expected of the piano student and, if applicable, the piano student's parent?
Learning to play the piano is a team effort between the teacher, student and parent. The student will need to practice on a regular, consistent basis, with parental support at home depending on the student's age and level. All materials should be brought to the lesson with assignments completed to the best of the student's ability. Questions that occur during the week can sometimes be answered through a quick email to the teacher. Use your lesson assignment notebook to remember the focus of practice on each assignment for the week.
For the younger beginner, parents will need to guide the practice at home. Setting aside a consistent practice time on a daily basis and assisting, not teaching, will allow consistent progress to be made. Help the student by reading the lessons notes and assignments. Ask questions: "Can you show me how you should do that motion?"; "Can you play this piece all the way to the end?"; "What did your teacher ask you to write on this page?" Elementary level students may enjoy a parent's presence just sitting with them while they practice. Be sure to ask about their lesson, their practice, their favorite piece that particular week. All of this continues to show you are interested in their music. Eventually as students reach high school, reminders to practice by the parent will be infrequent as the older student assumes responsibility for their own practice.
The student and/or parent should arrive at and leave lessons promptly. Keep the lines of communication open; check with your teacher if you have questions or concerns. As a courtesy be sure to contact your teacher if you will miss a lesson and be sure you understand your teacher's policy concerning missed lessons. Be financially responsible and pay tuition on time. Your teacher would rather be sharing music with the student, not writing reminder notices about tuition past due.
Your teacher will use his/her skills, talent and experience to provide you with a positive learning experience! Your teacher will maintain punctuality and professionalism, provide students with a quality musical instrument in the studio, and offer opportunities for musical growth through workshops, festivals, competitions and performances as appropriate to the student's age and needs.
With student, parent and teacher all working together, musical growth will be steady and rewarding.
Do I have to perform in public?
Sharing music is a wonderful benefit to learning to play the piano. While "playing in public" may be intimidating to you at first glance, your teacher will provide many different ways for you to share your music. Be open to the possibilities and expect your teacher to provide performance tips from preparing for a formal recital to playing a duet with another pianist "just for fun." Ask your teacher what the opportunities are for performance and what you may be asked to consider at your level of study. Your teacher is your best supporter and will work with you to create a positive learning experience.
Live music is a special event. It will never occur in this particular way again. Perfection is not the goal, but conveying the musical voice of the the composer blended with the voice of the artist-performer is the goal. As a pianist we work hard to be accurate to the score, but sometimes (most times?) inaccuracies in playing occur during performance. As our skill as a pianist/musician develops we learn how to handle those happenings. Every pianist who is growing, learning and performing will be able to tell one of those "horror" stories--but remember, they are still alive to tell it! I know of no one yet who has died as a result of a less than "perfect" performance.
What is the curriculum?
Your teacher should be knowledgeable about the resources available for beginning, intermediate and advancing pianists. Some studios will specialize only in beginners, or more advanced students. Will you be able to continue to study with this teacher as you grow in your level of playing? As students advance, the studio may focus on the standard classical repertoire, while other studios may be more eclectic or focus strictly on jazz or another specialty.
Does the teacher address technique, how to play and sit at the piano with ease, work on movements around the keyboard? Or is learning to find the correct note on the keyboard the only focus? Long term growth in playing the piano will need a strong technical foundation right from the first lesson. Will scales and etudes be a part of your studies in the studio?
Understanding the context of the music being studied is also an important part of playing the piano. Music was not written in isolation, but is reflective of the daily culture and life of the composer. Music history and music theory are important topics in being able to play and convey the musical intent of the composer.
Great playing needs great listening skills. Will your studies help develop your sense of sound, enable you to recognize the correct interval by training your ears as well as your fingers? Ear-training drills and studies on a regular basis should also be part of your lessons.
If this is your first exposure to the world of music, ask questions about the curriculum...this is the start of your learning.
More Questions?
Contact Karen for more information on these or any other questions you may have.
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